With school in full swing we’ve been packed with programs here. I hope everything is going great at your facilities and you are keeping equally as busy. There’s a lot of great stuff going on this month so lets get to it so I don’t take up any more of your time then necessary.
What’s a Nerdle? Sea Grant and UF IFAS are offering a training for a citizen science project looking at microplastics in our local waterways. Volunteers will collect water, filter water, and look for microplastics in filtered samples. You can find out more info about the project at http://www.plasticaware.org as well as find out who is doing training in your region. In Brevard County check out this flyer to set up a class.
That’s So Fly! The 2015 4-H fly fishing series will begin on Monday, October 26! Open to youth ages 12-18 of all skill levels who are interested in learning the art of fly fishing. Sessions will be in indoor and outdoor settings and will emphasize casting, conservation education, knot tying and fly tying. Cost is $ 30 per youth. You may or pay by check made out to Brevard County 4-H Association. First meeting will be at the UF IFAS Extension in Cocoa 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, October 26. Contact Andy Thompson at 321-633-1702 or andythompson@ufl.edu for more information. There will be a total of 9 meetings. Space is limited to 15 youth participants. Dates of sessions are October 26, 31, and November 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24.
Fresh from Florida Join the UF/IFAS Extension office and Wild Ocean Seafood Market for this fun early release day program on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, learning about Florida Seafood! Families will get a tour of Wild Ocean Seafood Market’s Titusville store and be able to participate in some fun activities! Ever wanted to learn how to peel a shrimp? Want to learn more about fish anatomy? How are your cast netting skills? And you get to sample some yummy shrimp afterwards! Cost is $ 5 per person or $ 15 for a family of 4. Register today via Eventbrite or call Holly Abeels at 321-633-1702 x235 to register over the phone. Reservations are required to participate. Sign up today!
Become Ambassadors for Sustainability! The Sustainable Floridians program follows the model of the successful Florida Master Gardener program and aims to develop engaged citizen volunteers who will become local sustainability champions. The Sustainable Floridian will become an active participant in the mission of the Florida Extension Service to transform societies through lifestyle choices and behaviors. After completing the eight-week training program, participants will create a personal sustainability action plan and can contribute to service projects or act as volunteer educators.
Lights, Cameras, Action We are pleased to announce that the 3rd annual Youth Making Ripples Film Festival and Competition will take place on January 22nd, 2016 (starting at 5:30 pm) at Florida Institute of Technologies Gleason performing Arts Center. As in past years, we will kick off the event with a pre-viewing reception that will include educational exhibits where scientists and educators can interact with K-12 students. We will then move into the theater to showcase this year’s finalists. After the debut of this year’s films we will host a Q & A session where students and the public can engage local scientists about the environmental concerns some of our marine communities are facing. Email youthmakingripples@gmail.com for more information.
IRL Day Everyday OK maybe its not everyday but on November 14th you can celebrate everything great about the Indian River Lagoon and learn more about how you can help it. Check out this flyer for more information.
Creatures about at the BIC While many of the Barrier Island Center programs have a terrestrial focus this month you will find many aquatic offerings at their Creature Fest including specific stations include seahorse research, plankton viewing, oyster reef critters, touch tank, dolphin rescue. Check out the links for more information.
Mangroves, Oysters, and Pollinators, Oh My! The 2015 Florida Project Learning Tree Professional Development Conference, Planet Diversity: Trees Gone Wild, utilizes the zoo environment to teach across disciplines. It provides the opportunity to network with PLT facilitators, educators, program sponsors and partners, environmental, conservation, and natural resource educators. Don’t miss a night hike at the zoo, and concurrent sessions provided by zoo staff, and more! Hosted by the amazing Brevard Zoo, come and be part of an engaging and inspiring experience! Join us November 13 – 15, 2015 for a minimal cost (with or without hotel), and register now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-diversity-trees-gone-wild-registration-17592194728
It’s Getting Hot in Here Do you want to do more than just learn about climate change? Join educators across the United States supporting climate resilience. Apply NOW to become part of the 2016 NOAA Climate Stewards Education Project (CSEP) Stewardship Community. Selected educators who meet project requirements will be eligible for:
Applications are due by midnight PST, November 22, 2015. To learn more, Go to the NOAA Climate Stewards Education Project Web Site. Questions? Contact the following NOAA Climate Stewards Education Project Coordinators: Molly.Harrison@noaa.gov or Bruce.Moravchik@noaa.gov
Work in the Keys for the Summer? One of our member organizations has a job opportunity.
Seacamp is a private, non-profit, residential program that operates a marine science/SCUBA camp for teenagers during the summer and teaches outdoor marine education to school groups from September to May. Newfound Harbor Marine Institute is our environmental educational organization offering programs in marine science to visiting elementary, secondary, college, and adult groups. Seacamp just celebrated our 50 summer and is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Newfound Harbor Marine Institute is currently hiring Marine Science Instructors and Marine Science Education Interns for the fall and spring seasons. Positions begin as early as November. Instructors and Interns lead interpretive programs in marine science for visiting schools and participate in support services required to run a residential program. This is an excellent opportunity for science majors and graduates to receive exposure to the tropical marine environment.
Extensive training includes science seminars, American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding, Oxygen Administration, First Aid and CPR/PR, seamanship and boat handling, teaching techniques and more.
Qualifications:
Intern – Must be working towards a degree in the biological sciences, environmental science, education or related fields. Must have completed at least one year of college level biology and finished their junior year. All applicants should be strong swimmers and should have a desire to work in a residential, community setting
Benefits: Salary/stipend, housing provided on the property, meals when participants are in residence, extensive training opportunities, worker’s compensation insurance, and staff boat use during time off. All NHMI staff benefit from their role in providing unique, experiential, marine science education opportunities for youth and adults from around the world.
To apply: Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to info@seacamp.org. We will contact you to complete your employment application packet, including official college transcripts and personal and professional recommendations.
Seasonal employment: Fall/Spring (November – May). Spring Only (January-May) Summer (May-August). Multi-seasonal and year-round positions are available. Internship credit is available. No deadline date for applications.
Thank you.